Filing for County Offices

County offices include County Commissioner, County Auditor, County Treasurer, County Recorder, County Sheriff, and County Attorney. See About County Offices below for more information about the responsibilities of these positions.

County offices have four-year terms that are normally elected in even years. Contact the County Auditor to learn which offices will be on the ballot at the upcoming election. Filing for special elections to fill vacancies will take place at different times—contact the County Auditor.

Qualifications

Candidates for an elected county office must:

• be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election
• be at least 21 years old upon assuming office
• have maintained residence in their district for at least 30 days before the general election

Additionally:

• candidates for County Attorney must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota
• candidates for County Sheriff must be licensed as a peace officer in Minnesota

Information about other qualifications for county offices is available from the county auditor. [is this necessary?]

How to File

Candidates for county offices must submit the affidavit of candidacy and $50 filing fee from May 19, 2026 to June 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Candidates must file with the county auditor of the county in which the candidate resides.

• Instead of paying the filing fee, candidates may submit a Petition in Place of Filing Fee. The petition requires at least 500 signatures.

Withdrawal

A candidate who has filed for office may remove their name from the ballot by filing an affidavit of withdrawal. Candidates may withdraw within the filing period, or by 5:00 p.m. within two days of the end of the filing period. The affidavit of withdrawal is filed with the county auditor.

Write-In Candidates

A write-in candidate for county office must file a written request for their votes to be counted. This request must be filed with the county auditor not more than 84 days before the primary and no later than the 19th day before the general election.

About County Offices

County Commissioner

The county's key policymakers who ensure that citizen concerns are met, federal and state requirements are fulfilled, and county operations run smoothly. County Commissioners oversee the administration of the county, set the county budget, and participate in county long-range planning. Services that they oversee include a wide variety of social service and welfare programs as well as certain public health programs and capital improvements.

County Attorney

Elected every four years, a County Attorney provides legal services in their county, prosecutes felony crimes and all cases involving juvenile offenders, and aids and gives support to the victims and witnesses who play a vital role in the criminal justice system. They also advise crime victims of their legal rights and status of their case including requesting restitution for losses suffered while starting legal proceedings to protect the health and safety of vulnerable adults within the county and bringing action to obtain or enforce child support obligations.

County Auditor

The County Auditor is responsible for tax administration for all taxing districts in their county and administers the issuance of auctioneer, beer and liquor licenses; the county's centralized accounting system; and the county functions of federal, state, and local elections.

County Treasurer

The County Treasurer is responsible for the cash management of county funds which includes monitoring cash flow. They collect all property taxes, collect and disburse other proper funds, perform escrow maintenance and conduct bank reconciliations as well as other duties as assigned.

County Recorder

The primary responsibility of the County Recorder is to accept and maintain a permanent public repository of real estate records. Types of documents in the repository include deeds, mortgages, contracts for deed, mortgage satisfactions, foreclosure records, probate documents, and easements.

County Sheriff

The County Sheriff keeps peace and enforces laws to protect life and property. They respond to both emergency and non-emergency requests for law enforcement services and develop an effective, motivated workforce through education, training, and career opportunities. They also execute all processes, writs, precepts, and orders issued or made by lawful authority, attend upon the terms of the district court, and investigate recreational vehicle crashes involving personal injury or death that occur outside the boundaries of a municipality. Sheriffs maintain the charge and custody of the county jail and provide a secure and safe correctional facility with other law enforcement agencies.